Japan researcher visa

You need a research contract with an organisation in Japan and, under the landing standards, a university degree (or completed university education) with research experience, or ten years of research experience in the field; for research at the Japanese office of a foreign company after a transfer, one year at that office abroad. Pay must be at least what a Japanese researcher would earn for the same work.

Researchers with high salaries and degrees often score 70 points or more and are better served by the Highly Skilled Professional (i)(a) status, which grants five years and faster permanent residence.

The host files the Certificate of Eligibility with documents showing its category (listed companies and public bodies submit less), the contract stating position, duration and salary, your CV, diplomas and evidence of research experience. Category 3 and 4 organisations add their latest annual accounts.

Mid- to long-term residents receive a residence card at Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai and other major airports (elsewhere it is mailed after address registration). Within 14 days of finding a home you must register your address at the city, ward or town office, which also enrols you in National Health Insurance and the National Pension unless your employer covers you under its schemes.

Changes of employer or school, marriage status and address must be notified to the immigration bureau within 14 days. Leaving Japan for up to one year (or until your status expires, if sooner) is possible without a re-entry permit by ticking the special re-entry box at departure.

Extensions and changes of status are filed at the regional immigration bureau up to three months before expiry, or online. From 1 October 2026 the counter fee depends on the period granted: JPY 33,000 for one year, JPY 48,000 for more than one and less than three years, JPY 64,000 for three to under five years and JPY 75,000 for five years. Applications received by 30 September 2026 still pay the former JPY 6,000. Standard processing is two weeks to one month for extensions and one to two months for changes of status.